AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I head to the kitchen to get some water and make the first of a few calls to Esther. “Before you ask, he’s not here,” she says when she answers. “He and Barney have become quite pally. He’s back and forth between here and there like a yo-yo.”
I can’t be anything but pleased about that. He’s got a friend, and it’s so important he has those, especially in this life. This life that’s so different from his previous life with Hilary and Derek, even if we’re trying to keep it relatively normal. We’re deluded. I know Esther’s also been on his back to keep in contact with Hilary. She had every day with Daniel since he was a baby, so I can only imagine how hard this change has been for her. “He’s keeping up with his studies though, right?”
She laughs. “Yes, powering through them, getting top grades in everything, making extra effort so he can dash out the door to see Barney.”
“I’ll call Barney’s dad,” I say, taking the stairs. “And you? Are you okay?”
“How’s Danny?’ she asks, swerving my question, which basically gives me my answer.
“He’s fine. Esther, how areyou?” This isn’t sitting right with me. Danny can’t dictate how his mother lives her life, and neither can I. I should never have allowed Danny to call the shots. I need to be with my husband, of course. But I also need to be with my son. Danny brought me here, and he wouldn’t if he truly thought I was at risk. So why can’t I have my boy with me? “I want to come back,” I blurt. It’s probably best for everyone.
“No,” she snaps, adamant. “Without you around to stabilize him, Christ knows where Danny will be.”
I let myself into my room and drop to the bed, my head in my hands. “I don’t think I stabilize him, Esther. If anything, I’m tipping him further over the edge.”
“That’s nonsense.”
“I miss Daniel.”
She laughs. “Why? If you were here, you would hardly see him anyway. Now, I’ve got to go. My pasta’s boiling over. I’ll text you Barney’s dad’s number so you can reach Daniel.” She hangs up, and I stare at my cell, waiting for the number to drop. Barney’s dad didn’t ask for this. He must feel like he’s got two kids given Daniel’s spending so much time there.
My phone pings, I save the number, and then I call Barney’s dad’s. “Mr. Benson?” I say when a deep, gruff voice answers. “It’s Rose, Daniel’s mom. I hope you don’t mind, Esther gave me your number.”
“Oh, Rose, I don’t mind at all. How are you?”
“I’m good, thank you. And you?”
“Very well. Daniel’s grandmother said you’re on vacation with his dad.”
I smile tightly as I look around our luxurious suite at Danny’s Miami mansion. “That’s right. I was just checking in. Esther said Daniel’s with youagain.”
“Oh? Is that a problem?”
“Not at all,” I rush to explain. “I just wondered if it’s too much. It doesn’t sound like you get much of a break from him.”
He laughs lightly. “Honestly, it’s fine. It’s nice for Barney to have the distraction.”
“Oh?” I can’t contain the curiosity in my voice.
“Well, I’m working most of the time, from home, of course, and his mother has gone back to Sri Lanka.”
“Oh, he misses her?” I open the French doors and step out onto the terrace, pouting to myself. He misses his mother. How sweet.Miss me, Daniel! And answer your damn cell or at least my messages.
“No, we’re going through a messy divorce. She left the country to be with her new boyfriend. Barney wanted to stay with me.”
My eyes widen. Shit. What the fuck do I say to that? “I’m sorry.” I sound as awkward as I feel.
“Everyone is,” he says over a laugh. “Anyway, Daniel is fine, Barney is fine, the big unit following them around is fine, and in case you’re now worried about me, I am fine too.”
How cute. “Well, I’m glad everyone is fine.” I smile like an idiot. “You have my number now, so just call if you need me. I mean, need anything Daniel related.”
“I’ll call you, Rose,” he says, laughter in his tone. “Enjoy the rest of your vacation.”
I hang up and look across the grounds of the mansion. “I will,” I say to myself. Oh, please. Lennox saw us all sitting around the table. He met myfriendlyhusband. He’s got a seven-foot Viking trailing Daniel and Barney. He knows we’re not on vacation. I wish we were.
“All right?”
I look toward Beau’s voice and find her on the terrace of their room. “Yeah, I’m good. You?”
